This dataset is part of a laboratory experiment, which evaluated how varying prey densities (year-0 blue king crabs) and habitat type (shell and sand) affect the functional response of year-1 blue king crabs, crypsis of prey crabs, and foraging behavior of predator crabs. The data includes date, experimental duration, tank number, predator species, prey species, predator size, substrate type, initial and final prey densities, number of prey eaten, crypsis indices, survival, and time spent foraging.

This data is from an experiment designed to test the viability of using hatchery reared crab to supplement wild stocks and to determine the optimal density for future releases. Crab were released by divers into 5 x 5 m quadrats marked with ground line at three densities: 25, 50, and 75 m-2. Researchers monitored the crab density inside the plots, in order to estimate survival, as well as outside the plots, to estimate crab movement. In addition, they determined predator densities and performed tethering experiments on red king crab to see if predator density or predation risk differed among the density treatments.

Rearing crustaceans communally for aquaculture, stock enhancement or research often results in high rates of cannibalism and low yields. One potential strategy to reduce loss from cannibalism is to rear crustaceans in individual cells. As small holding cell size can result in decreased growth or increased mortality, it is essential to identify the optimal holding cell size, both for mass culturing efforts and for experimental design purposes. In this study, we reared juvenile red king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus, (3.67 to 8.30 mm carapace length) in 20, 40, and 77 mm diameter holding cells and monitored growth and survival over a 274-day experiment.